“I didn’t plan on the new blood pressure pills making me dizzy enough to fall. Thank God I keep my phone in my pocket.” She turned her head and tapped Emily’s chin. “You’ve been up all night, haven’t you? Sorry I scared you, cookie.”
“It’s fine, as long as you’re okay.”
I was about to step out, feeling all kinds of intrusive watching them when Mrs. Patterson scowled at me over Emily’s shoulder.
“Are you going to come say hello or what?”
I laughed at the hint of a smirk on her face.
“Good to see you, Mrs. Patterson.” I came up to the bed and squeezed her hand. “Not here, of course, but happy to see you again.”
“You’re almost forty, for Christ’s sake. Call me Carmela.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” A nurse peeked inside the curtain. “Your insurance card says there is a secondary plan, but we can’t find the number.”
“I can help with that.” Emily rose from the seat to follow the nurse, stilling for a moment before turning to her mother. “Be nice.”
A chuckle escaped me as I took a seat on the opposite side of the bed.
“I was wondering when I’d see you.” She raised a brow at me as she shifted on the mattress.
“You were?” I leaned closer, not sure if it was her concussion talking.
“As soon as Emily said she ran into you at the reunion and that she was coaching your niece, I figured it was a matter of time.” She hissed as she leaned toward the bed rail. “Can you fix this pillow for me, please?”
“Of course.” I held her hand as she bent forward, and I adjusted the two pillows at her back. “Better?”
“Yes, much. The pain medicine they gave me has me nice and loopy, but it’s hard to get comfortable.” She settled back on the bed, frowning as sadness flashed across her face. “I’m so sorry about your sister. What a doll she was. I called your mother when Emily told me.”
“Thank you. Mom never said she spoke to you.”
“We used to talk all the time back then. You two never knew that either. You used to worry us, being so intense.” She clicked her tongue against her teeth and shook her head. “Believe it or not, I always liked you. You were a good kid then and now, taking care of your sister’s baby and making a good life for her.”
Pride swelled in my chest at her warm and easy smile. After years of trying so hard to be on her good side, I never would have guessed I was already there.
“When you’re a single parent, you have to be a little scary. Comes with the job. If you haven’t learned that yet—” she pointed a finger at me “—you will very soon.”
“I haven’t had to be scary yet, but I’m ready. Having learned from the best.” I smiled and patted her knee.
In all the years I’d known Emily’s mother, this was the first time I ever witnessed her truly laugh. When her face lit up, she reminded me a lot of her daughter.
“What choice did I have? Who was going to keep you in line? My father?” She waved a hand, her nose turned up in disgust. “He was more in love with you than my daughter was. And my mother fed you until I was sure you’d throw up one day, and you never told her no. I was on my own.”
“I never faulted you for that.” I shook my head. “In fact, I told Emily that I admired you for it. She was special and deserved the best.” I eased forward and raised a brow. “You were right to never let me forget it.”
She nodded, studying my face. I’d bet if she sat up and punched me for hurting her daughter, IVs attached to her arms or not, it would still really hurt.
“I promise that I will never hurt her again. I love your daughter very much.”
“I know that. I knew that. Why do you think I hovered so much? Kids in love don’t exactly think too clearly. Adults too.” She looked away. “I’m glad you were here for her today. Although I’m sure she didn’t call you to come, and you just showed up.”
“You’d be right.”
She shut her eyes and nodded.
“She grew up to be a tough nut to crack, but I have no doubt you will. You just have to prove that you’re not going anywhere.”
“I’m not, Mrs.—Carmela.”God, that felt weird. “I’m hers for the rest of my life, and if it takes that long to prove it to her, I will.”
